Iranian official confirms targeting US diplomats, says attacking Americans is a legitimate target

According to reports, U.S. officials and their European allies say that intelligence warning of attacks has been increasing in recent weeks, triggered by information that Iran was plotting to attack a military base used by U.S. forces in the United Kingdom. Officials say intelligence reviewed at senior levels shows Iran has already been planning two sets of options: once the United States or Israel launches an attack, Iran would initiate assassination operations in retaliation; it is also preparing to carry out separate attacks in response to previous U.S. strikes. One official said there are indications that Iran has already planted operatives inside the United States, "not just ordinary Iranian nationals." Two Iranian officials said in interviews on Saturday that U.S. diplomats and American personnel have been added to the list of targets. Speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, the two confirmed the U.S. State Department's disclosure that Iran was targeting American personnel. The two officials defended the plan, saying that Israel and the United States have already killed dozens of Iranian officials and their family members, and in their view, attacking Americans constitutes a "legitimate target." However, it is still not possible to confirm whether Iran actually has the capability to carry out such operations.